Vijay K. Vazhelil Appointed as Chief Commercial Officer – Elior India | Redefining Culinary Partnerships, Strategic Growth, and Hospitality Excellence
In a pivotal leadership development for India’s food and hospitality sector, Vijay K. Vazhelil has been appointed as the Chief Commercial Officer – India at Elior Group, marking a defining chapter in a career that spans nearly three decades across the global hospitality and service industries.
A seasoned hospitality strategist and growth leader, Vijay brings extensive experience in commercial management, operations leadership, and brand transformation across luxury hotels, global hospitality chains, and corporate food services. His appointment underscores Elior India’s commitment to strengthening its commercial vision, fostering long-term client partnerships, and shaping the future of the institutional dining ecosystem in India.
Steering the Future of Commercial Growth and Client Partnerships at Elior India
As Chief Commercial Officer – India, Vijay will lead the company’s commercial strategy, client relationship management, and strategic business development initiatives. His mission is to expand Elior’s footprint across India’s corporate, institutional, and industrial segments — bringing together global best practices, local insights, and service excellence.
In his new mandate, Vijay is set to redefine Elior’s customer-centric approach, ensuring that every partnership delivers measurable value, innovation, and sustainability. With a focus on operational excellence and strategic expansion, he aims to position Elior India as a trusted partner of choice for premium food and beverage services across industries.
A passionate believer that “food is not just nourishment, but an experience,” Vijay envisions Elior India as more than a service provider — as a culinary solutions brand that creates moments of connection, comfort, and care at every dining table.
Minor Hotels: Shaping Strategic Growth and Market Expansion
Before joining Elior, Vijay served as Vice President – Operations and Board Director (India) at Minor Hotels, where he played a transformative role in expanding the company’s brand footprint and operational excellence in India.
In this capacity, he led the company’s India operations and strategic pipeline, ensuring sustainable growth through brand partnerships, operational efficiencies, and portfolio optimization. His leadership brought together diverse hospitality assets under a unified commercial vision, positioning Minor Hotels for long-term growth and brand consistency in the region.
During his tenure, Vijay also served as a Board Director for Bodhi Hotels, a subsidiary of Minor Hotels, driving development initiatives and strengthening governance across operations.
Royal Orchid Hotels: Operational Leadership and Multi-Brand Expansion
Prior to Minor Hotels, Vijay held the position of Vice President – Operations at Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels, one of India’s fastest-growing hospitality brands with a portfolio exceeding 100 properties.
He played a key role in managing the company’s joint venture, leased, and owned-operated hotel portfolios, optimizing profitability and guest experience through improved operational frameworks and service excellence. Under his leadership, the brand scaled its operational standards and market presence, further solidifying its position as a national hospitality leader.
Hyatt Hotels: Pioneering Luxury Hospitality Experiences
Vijay’s association with Hyatt Hotels Corporation spans multiple leadership roles, including Complex Resort General Manager for Baale Resort Goa — the first white-label luxury resort for Hyatt in India — and General Manager at Alila Fort Bishangarh, Jaipur, one of India’s most iconic luxury heritage properties.
He spearheaded the pre-opening strategy and grand launch of Alila Fort Bishangarh, overseeing every facet of business planning, operational readiness, and brand positioning. His tenure with Hyatt was marked by his ability to combine brand storytelling with business performance, delivering both aesthetic distinction and operational excellence.
Earlier, as Director of Marketing at Hyatt Regency Kolkata, he led revenue generation, market positioning, and business development strategies that reinforced Hyatt’s leadership in the East India hospitality market. His approach blended creativity and analytics — ensuring marketing campaigns translated into tangible business growth.
Global Hospitality Journey: Building Brands and Experiences Across Borders
Vijay’s global career also includes impactful roles with Relais & Châteaux, Fox Browne Creative (South Africa), and Design Hotels GmbH, where he honed his skills in luxury hospitality development, brand creation, and experiential design.
As General Manager – India & Beyond for Fox Browne Creative, Vijay worked on Aramness Gir, a luxury lifestyle wilderness resort in Gujarat — a project that became a masterclass in brand storytelling, sustainability, and human-centered hospitality design.
His international leadership experience at Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, Nairobi (Relais & Châteaux) demonstrated his ability to align cultural nuance, operational excellence, and brand integrity across global markets.
Earlier in his career, Vijay made his mark with Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, where he developed a holistic understanding of luxury operations, customer engagement, and talent leadership.
Leadership Philosophy: People, Purpose, and Performance
Vijay K. Vazhelil’s leadership style is anchored in three guiding principles — Empathy, Empowerment, and Excellence.
He believes that successful hospitality organizations are built not only on operational systems but on people-driven cultures that inspire ownership, creativity, and compassion. His teams describe him as a leader who “balances boardroom strategy with a chef’s heart,” understanding both the commercial and emotional sides of service leadership.
His philosophy emphasizes:
- Customer-Centric Innovation: Continuously reimagining dining experiences to exceed evolving expectations.
- Operational Excellence: Building agile teams and sustainable processes that drive efficiency and quality.
- Human-Centered Leadership: Investing in people as the cornerstone of organizational success.
A Vision for the Future: Elevating Elior India’s Culinary Legacy
As Chief Commercial Officer, Vijay is poised to accelerate Elior India’s growth by integrating commercial foresight with culinary innovation. His focus will be on strengthening partnerships with India’s leading corporates and institutions, expanding service lines, and driving digital and experiential transformation within the organization.
He envisions Elior India as a platform that not only serves meals but creates experiences that connect communities and cultures, blending global standards with local authenticity.
Aligned with Elior’s global mission — “Because the best recipe is people” — Vijay aims to create a workplace and customer ecosystem where purpose, passion, and performance thrive together.
CXO Gateway Reflection: Celebrating Leadership in Service Innovation
At CXO Gateway, we proudly celebrate leaders like Vijay K. Vazhelil, whose careers bridge the art of hospitality and the science of business transformation.
From his early days with The Oberoi Group to leading commercial growth across global hospitality giants, Vijay’s journey reflects the evolution of a modern hospitality leader — visionary in approach, inclusive in leadership, and unwavering in his pursuit of excellence.